Prep a pygmy for pregnancy?

[Pearce Pastures]

Our two does are just turning one and we want to have them bred (these are our first goats and first time breeding). I wormed them yesterday but I am not sure if there is anything else I should consider doing, Any suggestions?

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

I'm into herbs and natural stuff, so here is what I would do.

I would start giving them a tsp of red raspberry leaf a day. It will help strengthen the reproductive organs, when the doe is pregnant it will help prevent early miscarriages and as she draws near to kidding prepare the uterus and mammary glands for birth. After birth it helps produce more milk. In the last 2 weeks before kidding I would up that to 2 tsp maybe even a tbs a day. Red Raspberry is also a hormone regulator so if there is any hormonal problems this may help even the hormones out so the does have consistent, noticeable heats, although lack of good minerals will cause problems in this area also.

You'll want to make sure that you have all their nutritional needs taken care of, as if they are lacking in a mineral they are very likely to miscarry, not conceive at all, or give birth to deformed sickly kids. Check out you mineral source and make sure it is well balanced with the feed you are providing them with. Selenium and copper (check if your area is deficient) are the most important, vit D3 being high on the list too, although if your down south where they still hours of sunshine every day they probably won't need extra supplementation in vit D.

I would also give them a tsp of comfrey leaf or root a day. *Before you begin this research comfrey and see if you are comfortable using it. Many people are not comfortable using it internally* I have no problem using comfrey internally so long as I know that the source knew to gather the older leaves, not the young leaves. Comfrey is an excellent bone builder and will tremendously help the doe produce healthy, strong kids. Comfrey is an amazing healing herb, it's definitely one to keep on hand at least for external use if your not comfortable with internal use.